Interviews

Cisco Cisco are about to drop their ‘The Heat EP’ on Apersonal, so we took some time to have a fireside chat. Here we get to know some more about where they are, their new release, and about what makes them tick.

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, we are Filipe and Julio from CISCO CISCO from Portugal and we have been producing disco and house music since 2009.

Where are you based currently?

Filipe is based near Barcelona, in Badalona - a vibrant area just a stone's throw from the beach. And Julio resides across the Tagus River in Almada, Portugal, on the opposite side of Lisbon.

What is it you love most about the city in which you live?

In Badalona, which is part of the wider Barcelona vibe, there's always something going on, whether it's street festivals, new art exhibits, or just the constant hum of the city. Barcelona's weather is another huge plus—it's sunny most of the year, which makes outdoor activities and enjoying the beach just part of daily life.

The city is also perfectly located to travel around Europe, making it easy to explore new places. But what really inspires me is the urban art scene. Barcelona is filled with graffiti, murals, and public art that evolves constantly. It's like the city itself is a canvas, and that creativity pushes me to think in new ways and keeps me motivated.

On the other hand, Julio lives in Lisbon, which, in its own way, is just as captivating. Lisbon is buzzing with energy and constantly expanding culturally. The vibe there is laid-back but full of life, and I can see how much the city is growing while still holding onto its unique charm. Like Barcelona, it’s a city where the mix of tradition and modernity comes together perfectly, and it’s easy to see why Julio enjoys living there so much.

How is the health of the club scene where you are?

Barcelona’s club scene is largely driven by tourism, which unfortunately isn’t great for the music culture or the overall vibe. However, during the summer, the city does host a variety of excellent festivals that bring together many people from the music industry—these are a great opportunity to discover new trends and connect with like-minded artists.

That being said we also have very cool smaller venues where the music is the main protagonist around the city. You can listen to good music with an excellent vibe in clubs like Moog and Les Enfants for example.

What has been a highlight of the last year for Cisco Cisco?

Last year, we focused on pushing our creative boundaries — exploring new styles and genres, searching for a fresh perspective that could ignite inspiration and rekindle the excitement of releasing new music. And with our latest material, we believe we've found exactly that.

We also did some exciting remixes that we are really proud of. We were invited to remix a track for Cale Parks, a renowned drummer and producer from Kansas. Cale’s unique blend of indie, electronic, and experimental styles really pushed me to explore new directions with my own sound, and it was an honor to contribute to his work. We also had the chance to remix for Manolo on Rare Wiri Records, a project spearheaded by Rayko.

Another major highlight of the past year for me has been the opportunity to have my work mixed and mastered by Helmut Dubnitzky, an outstanding engineer with an incredible reputation in the industry. Helmut’s talent and attention to detail are unmatched, and working with him has been a game-changer. Beyond his technical expertise, he’s also a genuinely creative and down-to-earth person, which made the entire experience even more rewarding.

And what has been the biggest challenge?

One of the biggest challenges for me and Julio has definitely been the distance between us. With Julio living in Almada and me based near Barcelona, coordinating studio time and working together on projects can be tricky. Scheduling has often been a bit of a puzzle, especially when trying to make the most out of the time we have in the studio.

On top of that, the music market and business are more saturated than ever. It’s become incredibly difficult to secure gigs and break through the noise, with so many talented artists vying for attention. However, despite these challenges, we’re not backing down. We’re currently focusing on strategies to navigate this crowded space and to continue pushing forward with our music. We're determined to keep evolving, find new opportunities, and keep doing what we love.

How did you connect with Apersonal initially?

I first connected with the Apersonal crew back in 2009 in Lisbon, at a party I threw with Manuel Calapez. We had a project called Internal Sync, and the party was called A German Accent. They were these Venezuelan guys who were starting a new label in Barcelona focused on nu-disco and house, and their vision was that the music had to feel timeless — something that would endure and not just follow trends. Luckily, they felt that what we were doing fit into that vision, so we released our first EP with them and it did pretty well. That led to three more EPs in time, and we’re super proud of all of them.

It’s been an amazing partnership — working with Andres and Apersonal has been a huge part of our journey, and it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come since those early days.

Tell us a little about the label and why you thought it is the

right label for your release?

Apersonal was the obvious choice. Andrés is a straightforward, no-nonsense kind of person, and he does not release anything if it's not worth the effort. We knew that with him at the helm the label would offer not only passion and creativity, but also the kind of attention to detail we value deeply in our own work.

Apersonal may be a smaller label, but it’s undoubtedly very well respected in the underground disco and house scene. The roster speaks for itself—artists like Trujillo, Ponzu Island and Mario Basanov have all helped shape the label’s unique sound. And when you look at the remixers, it’s clear the kind of quality Apersonal attracts. We've been fortunate to have our music remixed by the like of Greg Wilson, Ron Basejam, and Jay Shepheard through the label, and every time the results have been nothing short of amazing.

It’s a family we’re proud to be part of, and there’s always a door open for us there. Working together has felt natural, and it’s been incredible to see our music grow within such a well-respected community.

Give us an overview of the EP – The Heat?

We hadn’t released any original material for some time, even though we never stopped making music. We were really focused on exploring new directions and finding a fresh approach that could spark our creativity again and bring back that sense of excitement in making music. I clearly remember being in the middle of a particularly intense summer — on an emotional, creative, and even physical level. That intensity became a source of energy that pushed us to experiment more and step outside our comfort zone. You can really hear that in this EP: a blend of house and disco, with a bit of a "radio single" vibe. The name The Heat came to us early on and it just stuck — it reflected the passion we felt, the pressure we put on ourselves, and the drive that fuels the whole creative process.

The first track, -Why Can’t I Be You?”, has that classic disco vibe but with a more modern touch — a sound we’ve explored before. But then we had tracks like “The Heat” and “Under the Bridge”, where we ventured into styles we’d never tried before, like French house. We’ve always loved French house music from the early 2000s, but we’d never really sent out demos in that style — until now. When we sent it to Apersonal, Andrés immediately loved it. It was an unexpected surprise, but it felt right — a perfect example of how the right energy can align when you least expect it.

With The Heat, we also wanted to bring back a sense of joy into the mix. There’s something timeless about disco and house when it’s done right — that feeling of lifting people up and creating a moment to share. That’s exactly what we were aiming for. So in the end, this EP is about joy, connection, and trying something a little different from what we’ve done in the past.

How long did it take to come together?

As with any creative process, nothing is ever truly perfect — and honestly, that’s what makes the music feel more personal. We started and finished The Heat in about two and a half months, which felt like a pretty natural timeline. It was a focused and intense period.

After that, we made a few minor tweaks before sending the tracks off to mix and master. But the process didn’t end there. One day, Andres gave me a call with some small yet important suggestions. His feedback was spot-on, helping us refine the tracks even further and ensuring everything was in place. Those final touches made all the difference, bringing out the best in the EP before sending it off for mixing and mastering. It’s always amazing how the smallest details can have such a big impact on the final result.

Do You Take Some Time to Evaluate a Track After Making It?

Absolutely. After finishing a track, we always make sure to step away from it for a few days. It’s important to give our ears a rest and to avoid overproducing the track in the heat of the moment. We find that when we let the music breathe for a while, it allows us to come back to it with fresh ears, and that’s when we can really evaluate how everything is working.

Taking that break helps us hear the track more objectively, so we can better feel what’s working and what might need tweaking. Whether it’s adjusting the structure, fine-tuning the elements, or making sure the flow is right, stepping back gives us a clearer perspective. It’s a process that always leads to a better final result.

Any Other Artists or Musicians You’d Like to Shout Out on This Release?

Absolutely! First and foremost, we have to shout out Ron Basejam. Words can hardly capture how much we appreciate his work. His remix brought such a fresh, live energy to the track — it’s a total banger for us. What we love about Ron’s style is how his music evolves over time; it never gets old, and we are never tired of listening to it. He’s an incredible instrumentalist and producer, and we’ve been a huge fan of all his projects.

On the other hand, we’re also big fans of Rayko. His work has always impressed us, and his Italo-inspired approach has this unique ability to bring in a whole different crowd. Rayko’s remix for The Heat has this hypnotic, almost trance-like vibe that we absolutely love. It really opens up the EP, adding an extra layer and expanding its reach. The mix of styles on this EP is something we were aiming for — and Rayko’s contribution hit the nail on the head, blending different elements in such a smooth, captivating way.

And last but not least to Helmut Dubnitzky who gave his unique sound on Mastering, and Andrés at Apersonal for helping us in finding the correct structure in the tracks that we feel made a big difference.

Who are the icons that inspire the music that Cisco Cisco is making?

Our music is deeply influenced by a wide range of icons, particularly from the soul and disco scenes. We listen to a lot of Motown and classic soul — it’s a huge part of our sound. Some of our all-time favorites include Lamont Dozier, The O'Jays, and Arthur Prysock, whose timeless grooves and powerful storytelling still resonate with us today.

We also draw a lot of inspiration from disco artists of the past. Legends like Rice & Beans, Pure Energy, Mac Gregor, and Dizzy K are always in heavy rotation. Their infectious energy, upbeat rhythms, and catchy melodies have had a lasting impact on how we approach our own music.

These icons not only shape our sound but also inspire the way we think about music in a broader sense — from the raw emotion of soul to the rhythmic vitality of disco. Their influence helps guide us as we continue to create, innovate, and push boundaries in our own way.

What Other Artists Are You Following Right Now?

Right now, there are so many artists we’re following and really vibing with. Diogo Strauz, Jkriv, Hotmood, and Sunner Soul are all doing amazing things in the scene, each bringing their own unique touch to the music. We’re also big fans of Ben Jammin and Basement Freaks — their energy is always on point and their sound just keeps evolving in exciting ways.

PBR Streetgang, Tom Noble, and Harvey Sutherland are also artists we’re really into right now. These guys are pushing boundaries and constantly putting out tracks that inspire us. There’s just so much talent out there, and we’re lucky to be part of such a vibrant and creative community.

What was the last record you purchased?

Rahaan - Chicago's Club Culture Volume Two

Mark Seven - Parkwerks Vol III

Rinder & Lewis - Seven Deadly Sins

Next Up for Cisco Cisco

Right now, we’re really excited about what’s coming next for Cisco Cisco. We’re currently working on an album, which is something we’ve been looking forward to for a while. It’s a big step for us, and we’re taking our time with it because we want everything to be perfect — from the production to the overall vibe. We’re focused on continuing to solidify the unique sound and direction that we’ve been carving out with our music, and we’re not rushing the process. It has to feel right, and we’re putting in the work to make sure it does.

At the same time, we’ll have more releases coming out in the near future. We’re keeping the momentum going, always looking for new ways to explore ideas and experiment with sounds. There’s always more to share, and we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what we do, both creatively and sonically. We can’t wait to keep evolving and sharing more of our journey with everyone.

Check out the latest release from Cisco Cisco.